Study Guide 1
Chapter 1 – Science, Society, and Criminological Research
Identify and define/describe the everyday errors in reasoning.
Describe the four (4) categories of purposes for social science research: descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and evaluation.
Define and describe qualitative and quantitative research methods. How are each carried out?
Chapter 2 – The Process and Problems of Criminological Research
Discuss what makes a good research question (*hint: feasibility, social importance, and scientific relevance).
Consider the role of criminological theory in research.
What is a theory?
What purposes do criminological theories serve?
What requirements do theories need to adhere to?
Consider the research process.
What is a hypothesis?
Define independent and dependent variables. Know the relationship between the two.
Discuss the role of the IV(s) and DV in research hypotheses.
Be able to identify both in research hypotheses.
The research circle consists of three (3) main research strategies: Deductive, inductive, and descriptive research. (*Please note that I would like to clarify that descriptive research is different than both inductive and deductive research.)
Explain the research circle.
Define and describe deductive and inductive reasoning. Know the difference between the two.
Define each of the following: variable, independent variable, and dependent variable.
Discuss the role of variables (independent and dependent) in the research process.
Identify the different scientific guidelines for research.
Chapter 3 – Research Ethics
Consider the Stanford Prison Experiment – Zimbardo.
What is the main ethical concern raised by many researchers?
Consider the Belmont Report.
What is the Belmont Report?
Why did it come about?
Identify and define the three (3) basic ethical principles for the protection of human subjects.
Define and describe the institutional review board (IRB)?
Identify and describe (summarize) main points regarding current ethical principles in research practice.
Achieving Valid Result
Honesty and Openness
Uses of Research
Protecting Research Participants
Chapter 4 – Conceptualization and Measurement
Define concepts, conceptualization, and operationalization. Discuss the role of each in research.
Define level of measurement and describe each one, while providing examples of each – Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
Define and discuss the relevance of measurement validity and reliability. Know the difference between the two, in their roles in research.
Define/describe each of the following forms of measurement validity and reliability:
Criterion validity
Face validity
Test-retest reliability
Intraobserver reliability
Interitem reliability
4